Lewis County Burn Restrictions – Effective June 09, 2023

Effective 12:01 A.M., June 09, 2023, the Lewis County Fire Marshal will be enacting burn restrictions on outdoor burning for all of unincorporated Lewis County, Washington.

Lewis County is experiencing unseasonably dry conditions and an unusual amount of runaway burn piles.

After careful review of the current and extended weather forecast, the Lewis County Commissioners, Community Development Director and Fire Marshal have determined that current weather conditions within Lewis County have created substantial fire dangers. It has been determined there is a need to enact restriction on outdoor burning on all lands regulated by the Lewis County EXCEPT for recreational campfires in designated campgrounds and on private lands, if built in the following manner:

• The campfire shall be no greater than 3-feet in diameter and have a ring constructed of metal, stone or brick 8-inches above surface with a 2-foot wide area cleared down to exposed soil surrounding the outside of the pit.
• The campfire shall have an area at least 10-feet around it cleared of all flammable material and at least 20-feet of clearance from overhead flammable materials or fuels.
• The campfire must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16-years old with the ability to extinguish the fire with a shovel and a 5-gallon bucket of water or with a connected and charged
• Completely extinguish campfires by pouring water or moist soil in them and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch. The use of self-contained camp stoves is encouraged as an alternative.

The burning restriction DOES apply to applicants with a current open burning permit. The current burning permit expiration date will NOW be Midnight., Thursday, June 08, 2023.

The burn ban will be in place until the conditions improve. All land clearing, residential and silvicultural burning will be restricted until further notice.

For further information concerning outdoor burning and/or the restrictions being imposed, please contact Doyle Sanford, Lewis County Fire Marshal, at (360) 740-2696. The Fire Marshal’s office is in the Lewis County Public Services building, located at 2025 NE Kresky Avenue, Chehalis, Washington.